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Walker Silver Half

Walker Silver Half

The Walking Liberty silver half dollar, commonly known as a “Walker”, was a silver half dollar coin issued by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1947. The Walker Silver Half, due to its iconic design, and 90% silver content, remains quite popular today among both coin collectors and bullion investors.

In 1915, Mint Director Robert W. Woolley had the Commission of Fine Arts conduct a competition to replace long time Mint Engraver Charles Barber’s coins first struck in 1892. Three noted sculptors were chosen to submit designs and ultimately, German born Adolph A. Weinman was selected to design the dime and half dollar. As a young artist, Weinman had worked in the studio of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who later became one the most legendary coin designers in the world. In 1905, the two great sculptors collaborated to produce a medal for President Theodore Roosevelt’s inauguration. Weinman’s involvement with President Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens helped pave the way for his submissions to the US mint.

The designs selected by the Mint, Weinman’s Walking Liberty half and Winged Liberty dime (popularly known as the “Mercury dime”) are two of the best known and most popular coin designs in history. In fact, since 1986, a modification of Weinman’s obverse design has been used for the American Silver Eagle, the bestselling one ounce pure silver coin in the world. The designs of both of these coins were inspired by Elsie Kachel Stevens, wife of Pulitzer winning poet Wallace Stevens. The dime features the detailed face of Mrs. Stevens while her full length figure is depicted on the half dollar.

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Quoting Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo’s description of the Walker Silver Half, “The design of the half dollar bears a full-length figure of Liberty, the folds of the Stars and Stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride toward the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak, symbolical of civil and military glory. The hand of the figure is outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty. The reverse of the half dollar shows an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, his wings unfolded, fearless in spirit and conscious of his power. Springing from a rift in the rock is a sapling of mountain pine, symbolical of America.”

Walker Silver Half Specifications

Walking Liberty Half Dollar:
Year: 1916-1947
Mint Mark: D, S
Denomination:  50¢
Manufacturer: U.S. Mint
Gold Content:    .36169 troy oz
Purity:   .90
Thickness: 1.8 mm
Diameter: 30.6 mm

Walker Silver Half legacy
The Walker Silver Half remains one of the most desired and collectible US coins. As of January 2015, the PCGS price guide lists a complete set of Walkers in MS67 grade at over $1.1 million dollars!

Walkers were generally struck in large numbers at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints. Most coins of the series are available in both circulated and uncirculated condition, although some scarcer issues are difficult to find, in fact rare, in gem uncirculated condition. The current PCGS price guide lists the 1919-D in MS66 at a value of $255,000! The key dates include 1916-S, 1917-S, 1919-D, 1938-D and all three of the 1921’s, the 1921 (Philadelphia), 1921-D (Denver) and 1921-S (San Francisco). The 1921-S had the lowest mintage of the entire series at only 246,000.

Please view this article for more detailed information about the Walking Liberty mintage figures  (please note that I have no affiliation with the referenced website, nor do I vouch for the accuracy of the information contained therein. I just found the site interesting and provide it to you for your reference.) 

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The most common method of trade for the Walker Silver Half today is in bags of “junk silver”. A $1,000 face value bag of Walkers (containing 2,000 half dollars) contains approximately 715 ounces of pure silver. Buy Walker Silver Half Dollars at Bobwhite Silver.

Why buy from us?

At bobwhite silver bobwhite gold (BSBG), I bring over $1.6 billion in business experience to the trading desk. If you require a broker who, in addition to offering great prices and quick delivery on items like Walker Silver Half, provides you with that personal touch, offering patience, transparency and integrity, bobwhite silver is definitely a choice to consider.

If you have any questions about the Walker Silver Half, or you’re ready to make a purchase, please call me at 6.GOLDLIB.33 (646.535.4233) seven days a week! No ever-changing bunch of guys in cubicles, no, “please listen as our menu options have recently changed”, no “dial 9 for a company directory”, just me, Joel (bobwhite is a bird).

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